Beavers return to Belle Isle after long absence

AP Photo | The Detroit NewsMichael Reed, manager, Belle Isle Nature Zoo, points to a downed tree, evidence that beavers are on Detroit's Belle Isle, May 31, 2012. Members of the Belle Isle Zoo have been to locations where beaver have been spotted.

Officials say beavers are once again calling Detroit's Belle Isle home after an absence of about 100 years.

The Detroit News reports a visitor to the island park in the Detroit River last week snapped a photo of a beaver in the Blue Heron Lagoon. The photo comes after park officials earlier found what they thought were signs of beavers on the island, including tooth marks on tree stumps.

Officials say they think three beavers are living on the island. They say the return of the animals is another sign that water quality is improving on the Detroit River.

Earlier beaver sightings on Belle Isle were determined to be mostly muskrats.